Our series of weekly NASCAR driver interviews continues with Johnny Sauter, who became the first driver to qualify for the inaugural Camping World Truck Series Chase with his season-opening win at Daytona International Speedway last month.

Q: What is an errand or chore in your daily life people might be surprised to learn you do yourself?

A: I mow a lot of grass. I mow over seven acres every week.

You do that all in one day?

Yeah, I just get ‘er done. It’s something I enjoy and always have.

Q: If you could do any race over again, which race would you choose?

A: There’s a lot of those. Geez, that makes you think back a ways. I’d say probably the 2011 Truck race at Texas where I pretty much dominated the race. Then on a late-race restart, a green-white-checkered, I came down too far (before the start line in front of Ron Hornaday) and they gave me a penalty. Instead of the win, I ended up 25th. I’d probably like to redo that one.

Q: The longest race of the year is 600 miles. How long of a race could drivers physically handle without a driver change?

A: I think it depends on how their cars are handling. (Laughs) There are some guys in the back of that race who wish it was over in 500 miles, and the guys in front could probably go 800 miles, who knows? I think what you test the limits of is the durability of the cars. If the cars are handling good, the drivers will go as long as they tell ‘em to go.

Q: Let’s say president of NASCAR was an elected position voted on by the drivers, and you decided to run. What would one of your campaign promises be?

A: Holy cow. Dude. Where did you come up with these questions? (Laughs)

It’s hard to give an answer to that, but I’d probably make a serious run at trying to shorten some of these races up for the Cup guys.

Q: At the start of this year, exactly 857 drivers had ever raced in the Truck Series. Where do you rank among those 857?

A: (Laughs) I have no idea! There’s been some really good drivers racing in the Truck Series. I wouldn’t even want to try to put myself in that order, honestly, just because I think of all the good guys who have come through this series.

Q: What do you think your reputation is, and is that reputation accurate?

A: I think the perception is that I’m a hothead, probably. But I don’t think it’s true at all. I’m very passionate about racing and I take it very seriously every week. I wear my emotions on my sleeve and sometimes it shows up, and maybe it shouldn’t.

Q: A famous chef wants you to invest in the new restaurant he’s opening, but he wants you to pick the cuisine. What type of food would your restaurant serve?

A: I’m a cheeseburger and fries kind of guy. That’s my deal, you know what I’m saying? Just good ol’ American food.

Q: What is the most daring thing you’ve done outside of racing?

A: I’ve ridden roller coasters when my brain has told me not to. I’m not a big roller coaster guy, so it takes a lot for me to get on one. Everything about it tells me not to do it, but I’ve done it.

Wait a second. Most people would say their brains tell them not to get in a race car and drive 200 mph like you do, but they have no problem riding a roller coaster. Why is it the opposite for you?

It’s about control. In a roller coaster, you don’t have any control. I can get used to it after a couple times, but everything about it seems wrong.

Q: In a move to generate more excitement, NASCAR decides in an upcoming race they’re going to require every driver to have a passenger in the car. You get to pick the passenger. Who do you choose?

A: I’d like to give the Pope a ride. That would be really cool.

I could see the Pope really digging that experience.

Yeah, I think the Pope would be somebody who would probably get a kick out of it. (Laughs)

Q: How often do you talk inside the car without hitting the radio button?

A: I don’t ever talk. I have a lot of thoughts that run through my head, but usually if I have something to say, I’ll just say it on the radio. I’m not a guy that talks to myself, you know what I mean?

Q: Who will win the Sprint Cup in 2021?

A: Chase Elliott.

Q: I’ve been asking each driver to give me a question for the next interview. Last week was Ryan Blaney, and he wanted to know: What were you thinking on the last lap of Daytona when Christopher Bell was pushing you and on the verge of being out of control?

A: Honestly, I thought there was a really good chance we were all going to crash. When you have a green-white-checkered at a race like that, there’s potential for it to get even uglier. Once I got the lead, I happened to glance in the mirror one last time and I saw him tumbling. That’s never a good sight. You don’t want to see that.

But at the same time, I knew I was cleared and into the lead, and I knew the race was completed at that point. It’s a touchy moment, because you’re worried about the guy who helped you win the race and is flipping, but at the same time you know you just won the race. So it’s tough to control all that.

And do you have a question for the next interview?

If there was one thing they could change to make racing better — whether it’s aerodynamics, tires, whatever — what would it be?